University of Maryland suspends fraternities and sororities pending investigation
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland has ordered fraternities and sororities on campus to suspend social and recruitment activities after the school received multiple reports of unsafe activity.
In a letter sent Friday by university officials to fraternity and sorority presidents informing them of the suspension, the alleged misconduct was not described as hazing but instead referred to “activities that compromise the safety and have threatened the well-being of members of the university community.”
The suspension applies to all organizations affiliated with the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council of the College Park campus, which represent 21 fraternities and 16 sororities, respectively.
The letter states that the suspension will be in effect indefinitely while an investigation takes place. According to the letter, fraternities and sororities are not allowed to have any contact with new or potential members, and they are not allowed to host events where alcohol is present.
The action in Maryland comes just days after the University of Virginia suspended its Kappa Sigma chapter following an alleged hazing incident on Feb. 21. In addition to Kappa Sigma’s suspension, the university’s Interfraternity Council has imposed a three-week suspension on all its chapters. as a commitment to anti-hazing efforts and out of respect for the current situation.”
News outlets reported that the Kappa Sigma chapter in Virginia was suspended after a pledge who had been drinking heavily fell down a flight of stairs and hit his head, leading to his hospitalization.
In Virginia, the 2021 death of a Virginia Commonwealth University student, Adam Oakes, following a fraternity hazing incident resulted in the passage of anti-hazing legislation and a nearly $1 million settlement payment from the university to Oakes’ family.